Effects Of Naked Dna And Subunit Ipnv

Infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) causes an economically significant, untreatabledisease in salmonid fish. Immunization appears to be the most promising control method, butcommercial vaccines are not readily available. We have previously developed and tested arecombinant IPNV vaccine in rainbow trout and brook trout fry. Although the vaccinesignificantly reduced fish mortality, it did not prevent virus infection. This vaccine has not beentested in Atlantic salmon. To develop an IPNV vaccine that also prevents the establishment ofthe IPNV carrier state, it is essential that fish immune responses to IPNV are understood.However, there is scant knowledge of fish immunity to viruses. The final goal of our research isto produce an IPNV vaccine that prevents both fish mortality and infection. Towards this goal,we propose to immunize Atlantic salmon yearlings with our recombinant IPNV vaccine and anovel naked plasmid DNA vaccine, and then compare the vaccine-induced humoral and cellularimmune responses to those induced by virulent IPNV. Vaccinated fish will also be challenged togive preliminary data on whether the vaccines prevent the establishment of the carrier state inyearling fish.